The 2020 Metal Monoliths were a series of mysterious structures that first appeared in a remote canyon in Utah, sparking global intrigue and countless conspiracy theories during a chaotic year. Reminiscent of the monolith from Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, the shiny metal pillar was quickly linked to extraterrestrials, hidden art projects, or bizarre marketing stunts by internet sleuths. As more structures appeared in Romania and California, the phenomenon became a viral meme representing the unpredictable nature of 2020. While an artist group eventually claimed credit, the image remains a classic template for highlighting surreal news or 'final boss' scenarios.